Do these people understand that their boss makes so much more than they do? Is this just some sort of group ass-kissing exercise?

Not enough WTF....

Oh, and I have bought presents for bosses, but only when I wanted to, not because someone made me!

This. I've also contributed happily to group gifts, when the terms are "whatever you want to/are able to donate, and then we'll see what token little thing we can get" rather than "this much is Your Share".

rather than "this much is Your Share".

ESPECIALLY if you had no input into what to buy or how much to spend.

Seriously, though, won't the guilt-tripping people just give up eventually if you don't back down. Or maybe there's one you can take aside and be very frank with?

last time they just tag teamed me until i gave up(almost in tears because i literally didn't even have money to buy my family gifts that year). there is not a reasonable person in this place and i'm not kidding.

No. WAY. Is too much.

I just asked another co-worker if i was mis-remembering about the $20 and she said no, i was right. it was $20 last year and all the previous years. a $20 increase in one year?! give me a fucking break, people.

Because that shit is BANANAS.

I am SO GLAD i'm not alone in thinking this. i was beginning to think i was just wearing my frugal panties.

I'd be very tempted to state mournfully, "Oh man, that'd mean I can't afford my [name some highly contaigous nasty-ass, airborn disease. Oooh or rabies!] meds this month...."

*snerk*

1) who is deciding what to buy

umm...mostly the office manager and her minions yes-men.

2) who made this a mandatory thing

I have no idea. it was in practice when i came here 5 1/2 years ago.

Do these people understand that their boss makes so much more than they do? Is this just some sort of group ass-kissing exercise?

not only do these bosses make SO MUCH MORE than us(they are literally millionaires), they almost always don't even appreciate the gifts except when they give specific instructions for something they want. it's a definite ass-kissing exercise.

I've gotten a telemarking call from the exact same company for five days in a row. I've told them EVERY time to take my name off their call list. I've only been on the Do Not Call List for about a week (you have to be on it for 31 days to file a complaint, so I can't even report the assheads).

I yelled a the telemarketer this morning--asking to speak to a supervisor so I can get my name off their list, else I'll report them to the FCC.

ION, do people actually shut off their cell phones when they put gas in their cars? Snopes says it's not true that cell phones have caused fires/explosions when people were gassing their cars: [link]

eta: When I was at a Wisconsin gas station, I saw a sign telling customers to turn off all electronic devices - there was a picture of a cell phone with a circle and a line though it....

Our internets are not working right, and somehow I have to figure out how to cart a 2000 page report up 7 floors while also having a hand free for a security badge and keys.

Also, I would like to punch tiggy's office manager and bosses in the crotch.

Snopes says it's not true that cell phones have caused fires/explosions when people were gassing their cars:

I saw a Mythbusters episode about that one. They tried awfully hard to get a cell phone to trigger one but couldn't do it. They had an enclosed area with an optimal fuel air mixture but the phone still didn't do anything.

I buy almost all my gas on the Army base here which means a lot of wiating in line. I always talk on my phone until I get out to pump gas. I only stop talking when I get out to avoid dirty looks. I certainly have never shut my phone off.

I've been trying to see if Miss Manners has had anything to say (online) about the subject of giving bosses gifts. This:

[link]

doesn't address the matter exactly but she does say:

By the way, giving Christmas or birthday presents within the office is highly inappropriate. If you wish to reward your employees, give them bonuses at the end of the year. Money is the proper exchange in the business world, and presents are the proper exchange in the social world.

Really, I'd much rather have a bonus from my employers than some random or even thoughtful gift!